Each Thursday and Friday for the past three weeks, my sister, Marilyn Nicholson, has come from her home in Battle Creek to assist me in a long neglected project: sorting out clothes that have accumulated over the years and put them in circulation again via three very worth-while organizations -- the American Cancer Discovery Shop, the Salvation Army, and the Gospel Mission.

After the first two days of closet cleansing, on Oct. 31, we made a delivery to the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. Long-time friend Susan Horne greeted us with a question, "What do you think of the changes and our expansion?" Susan has been one of the most ardent supporters of the Discovery Shop since its inception in 1991.

Char Sumney
Charlotte's Chatter

"We outgrew our previous quarters and moved several doors west to 4608 W. Main St. Business has been great and we have expanded to 100 volunteer workers. It has been nothing short of fantastic.

"We are proud to be an upscale shop selling merchandise that is in tip-top condition at very reasonable prices. Needless to say, with our expansion to double the size we previously occupied, we have to sell a lot of merchandise to be profitable."

Our second drop-off on Nov. 7, Susan was elated. "Nov. 1, we had our best day ever -- $1,895. Our store is the only one in Michigan surviving. The others had hired help. Our 100 volunteers keep us profitable for a great cause."

Susan and I reminisced about the year 1991, the year the Discovery Shop was founded.

Men volunteered their labor in preparing the store for opening. Women started sorting merchandise for sales.

Following our deliveries to the Discovery Shop, we made deliveries to the Salvation Army and the Gospel Mission.

Marilyn is a workhorse. When we finished the project, she reflected, "Char, I have enjoyed our joint efforts in this project. It has been time we have been able to spend together, talking, reminiscing, laughing and playing jokes on one another.

"Additionally, each closet was carefully reorganized. That's the part I really like to do since I'm great at organization. I kept a record of the total number of items donated, 376 items have been donated to date, and we have two more closets to purge next Thursday and Friday.

Marilyn's husband, Robert Nicholson, succumbed to cancer of the liver in June, 2001 at the age of 70. Thankfully, he had a relatively short illness from the time it was discovered. It spread quickly throughout his body, Marilyn said.

"One of the things I miss most about not having Nick with us physically today is when we (our children and I) have our frequent family times together," she said. "Nothing has ever been the same without his presence as we assemble for birthdays, holidays, or just Sunday dinners together."